Care manager Sandra Reimann has grown emotional as she discussed her workload in an interview as German leaders scramble to stop the wave of coronavirus cases before Christmas. Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel was able to introduce restrictions on unvaccinated people that will prevent them from visiting public places as fear grows over the Omicron variant. Ms Reimann and her colleagues were upset that many Germans did not show up for their vaccinations when they were overwhelmed for the winter.

Wilma Klink, a doctor at a hospital in Frankfurt, told DW News she is unsure why people have not come forward for their shots as Germany grapples with another wave.

She said: “Of course we wonder why these patients chose not to be vaccinated.

“Not because we have so much work to do now or feel exhausted, but why have these people put themselves in danger and not take the situation seriously? “

Ms Reimann was also interviewed, but her teary eyes could be seen as she emotionally shared her story.

The health worker added, “I think we have a really tough time ahead of us and we have to cope together somehow.

“We have no choice but just how it is, I can’t handle the negativity.

“I try to stay positive but I can’t say if I can continue, it’s a little difficult at the moment.”

In her final days as Chancellor, Angela Merkel has supported compulsory vaccination as Germany’s Fourth Wave takes hold of the country.

The German leader revealed that some hospitals have been forced to airlift patients to other facilities and said: “The fourth wave must be broken and this has not yet been achieved.

“Given the situation, I think it is appropriate to adopt compulsory vaccination.”

German citizens are not allowed to visit public places unless they can prove that they are vaccinated or have already been infected with Covid.

This means that the very popular Christmas markets across the country have seen far fewer attendees as only around 76% of the population have been fully immunized.

Germany also reports around 55,000 cases daily, making it the hotspot for infections in Europe, with the UK only a few thousand behind.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn warned everyone would be “vaccinated, cured or dead” by spring in a telling warning to the public.

DO NOT MISS
Brexit LIVE: Sort it out NOW – Boris sent stern warning after poll shock [LIVE]
Alarming data exposes thousands of homes to be built in flood-prone areas [MAP]
Boris Johnson POLL: Is the PM losing control of the Conservative Party? [POLL]

Mr Spahn also said the current restrictions came “too late” and intensive care units would see 5,000 people next week.

Resistance to the draconian measures continues to grow on the continent after large protests erupted in Austria after unvaccinated citizens were urged not to leave their homes except for essential reasons.

In Belgium, riot police deployed water cannons against protesters who did not like the introduction of the new vaccine passports.

Similar scenes have also been seen in Italy.

The UK has reintroduced some restrictions such as wearing masks in shops and public transport, but government officials have played down the new limits put in place.

Science Minister George Freeman told Sky News that the early easing of the lockdown combined with the vaccination schedule means the UK is less likely to need restrictions compared to its European neighbors.